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Sunday, 1 July 2012

Woah. Big space.

The previous Maddermarket production (an excellent show: Ben Jonson's The Alchemist) finished ('came down', as we luvvies put it) last night. We were therefore able to work in the theatre today - albeit on a set designed for the seventeenth century.

I've only performed on this stage once before - I Am A Camera, back in 2009 (as Sally's mother, Mrs Watson-Courtneidge, aka Scary Mummy). A lovely space to work in, although I'd forgotten the slightly disconcerting height of the stage in relation to the audience; it's a particular contrast to my usual performing space at the Sewell Barn, where the watchers' heads - even the first row - are level with and above those of the performers.

Rhett populated the stage with as much of our furniture and props as we already have (actually, the Alchemist's oak-panelled room didn't look too far out of place for Yorkshire merchant classes in 1908). Obviously the entrances are not yet where they'll be. However, it gave us a much-needed 'feel' for the sense of space, both physically and vocally.

We 'staggered' Acts I & II, and once again, it was lovely to see the parts of the story we're not involved in ourselves. It's been some time since I'd seen our 'young lovers', Nancy & Gerald, and I was reminded of yet another huge shift in dynamic: their youth, free expression of affection, Gerald's 'southerner' accent (alone of all the cast) and far less formal presence. It makes an enormous contrast when the six of us - 'the couples' - enter in their middle-class, high-tea-filled satisfaction. Splendid stuff.

About the show

About the blog

I've performed in many shows and worked with many wonderful directors. While I've always loved to catalogue these shows, with photographs, reviews and the rest, the process of rehearsal is often neglected - and it's just as much fun and education, and just as important, as the performances.

So for this, the first show I've taken part in for the last year, I thought I'd capture some random thoughts about the work being done. Our splendid cast of fourteen, with Genevieve Raghu at the helm, will spend the next few weeks creating Priestley's world of Edwardian respectability on the stage of Norwich's lovely Maddermarket Theatre. Join me (and Maria) on the journey...